Happy Mothers Day

Wishing all moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day!!! While we chant out mantras of "this too shall pass" and "what has gotten into you?" take heart in knowing that even though we doubt ourselves, our children rarely do. Remember that even the seemingly perfect moms feel the stress too. The reality is we would never trade a minute of our time, the good the bad and the ugly, if it meant not having our children in our lives. From one momma to another who knows the trials and tribulations that come with our job I wish each of you a wonderful day. For those of you who are having less than a wonderful day enjoy the picture of Barbie. It seems even perfect Barbie has fallen prey to the stress of motherhood!

Severe Weather Alert!!!

For the past few days here in North Carolina this has been a pretty status quo term. Rain, thunder and lightening and air so thick you can cut it with a knife. Thank goodness for air conditioning! Much more severe are the stream of tornado's that have been touching down here and there around our state. Many coming much too close for my personal comfort. When most of us think of rain we think of cold gloomy days where we just want to hunker down in bed with some tea and warm blankets, at least I do. Even when it is warm outside when I am closed in my house and looking out all I see is the dull gray and it makes me want to retreat even further, climb back in bed and read a book. Which brings me to the bedroom. The sanctuary where we are free to let our hair down. I find our bedroom to be such a peaceful place. I practically sigh every time I walk through the door to my bedroom! There is just something about this personal space that instantly brings my heart rate down and pulse to a slow relaxed state. Since moving to our home here in Carolina I have been slowly moving from room to room and putting my personal stamp on this home. One room I have not even started on is my bedroom. I have all the furniture in place, the plantation shutters up, and the bedding from our last home. Still though I have not chosen the decor I really want to go with in this room. Never the less I still dream of getting this room done soon and I keep a stash of photos that inspire me for one reason or another and thought I would share them here. So pull up your cup of tea and hunker down for a short but sigh worthy bedroom inspiration tour.

Blue is always a staple with me. I gravitate towards it like a magnet. I love the cool simplicity of these blue rooms with touches of warmth with the gold.

This room just sings to me. I love the warmth and the mix of fabrics. The bold checks on the cornices and the floral drapes. I feel like I should find a pair of equestrian riding boots at the foot of this bed. If the green carpet was replaced with some wood floors and oriental rugs it would make this room near perfect for me!

I love the contrast of the crisp apple green with the black. Sharp and fresh.

This room was actually more of an inspiration for my sons room. I love the red against the black and the buffalo checks add such texture almost lending themselves to architectural details in the way they are used.

Back to the blue! Notice how there is not one mirror, painting etc. on the walls in here. The all over pattern of the wallpaper created more than enough interest.

Toile! Need I say more!

I love the painted beds.

More Toile. I just found this such an interesting mix.

The wall displays caught my eye in this bedroom. Very interesting. Also look how they used the bowed window treatment. That would be fantastic in a little girls room!

Pink isn't often thought of as sophisticated but this room proves that it can indeed be just that. Pink like blue is a very relaxing color if done right.







I love the texture of the wood planked walls white washed. The black beds against this with the yellow and red bedding just pops creating interest and contrast in what is other wise a very simple room.

These are just some of the inspiration pictures I have collected. Watch out, if I were actually willing to scan in all the ones I have stored away in my inspiration notebook we might have been here awhile! Have a relaxing and wonderful day!

Parents of Middle Schoolers

You know that really isn't a word is it? " Schoolers". "Schoolers". In any event I had meant to post this earlier and was side tracked. Who me? Last week Joe Bruzzese visited my blog. Specifically my post on the "Top 5 Must Haves For Middle School Girls". Joe left a nice comment to let me know he had featured my blog on his daily show. Joe has a history in education and dealing with the middle Schooler (there is that word again). I urge you to visit his show and listen to his daily insights into Middle School kids and parenting them. It was nice to hear confirmation on all the things we are doing correctly and listen with interest to the tips he gives on things that are frustrating us! If nothing else you might just walk away thinking your child has something more to offer at this age than just the daily pull your hair out moments. Go ahead and give Joe a visit at Thinking Forward when you get a chance.

Porch Party! Porch Party! Porch Party!

Our dear friend Barb over at Grits & Glamour has decided to welcome in Spring and Summer with a Porch Party! I had planned on having my two porches all ready for the big event. Planned is the operative word here. One thing has held me back from having my porches completed and ready to photograph for the big event. The extremely bad pollen we have had here this year. UGH! It will not cease. I have cleaned off these porches on three different occasions and within 30 minutes they are covered in pollen again. Sadly my porches are still in the winter mode over here at Southern Whimsy. I just can't pull out all the fabrics and goods yet. That of course will not stop me from participating in this fun event. Sit back and feel the breeze. Grab a cool glass of sweet tea with a little mint, southern style and enjoy these lovely inspiration photos.

You just know this doubled porch beauty is right on the water. A real stunner!

What porch is complete without lovely flower boxes. I just love the sharp red geraniums against the crisp white.

This charming seating arrangement was found on RMS over at HGTV. I am sorry to say I do not know who created it but it remains one of my all time favorites. Could it be the whimsical harlequin table top? I love the apple green and black fabrics too!

Black and white never looked so striking. It is sharp and wonderful on this sun porch. I love how they placed the tole tray right up against the windows.

This is a relaxing looking patio.

Who wouldn't love to dine here by candle light.

The definition of a porch.

Oh to sleep here on a warm and balmy summer night. What a fun idea to suspend the mattress.

Sit back and rock awhile. Still working on your tea?

I adore these fabrics and the pink and chartreuse combination. The pillows have little toile scenes on them.

Cool, clean and relaxing right on the water.

Lets dine al fresco!

I love the lattice work. It creates such a charming privacy enclosure.

Layering the different fabrics creates the feeling that this porch has been here through many generations.

Red. Always a favorite.

Adirondack chairs are always in style.

A hammock on a porch makes you think of the islands. Look at the shuttered railings. Very Bahamas!

This warm setting is done by designer Linda Applewhite. The green and yellow with oranges are her signature colors. I love the interest the different styles of wicker chairs creates. This space feels like you would stumble upon it while rounding a corner.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief tour of some lovely porches and outdoor spaces. Join Barb's porch party to see more porch inspiration!

What "Used" To Be On My Walls Wednesday

It's time for Whats on You Wall Wednesday hosted by Barb at Grits & Glamour If you have not participated in this event rush on over and and join in on the fun! If you have never been to Barb's Blog before go visit and link into others who have participated in this fun event. This week instead of showing you what is on my wall (you may already know what is above my fireplace mantel based on my Met Monday blog) I thought I would show you what is NOT on my walls any longer. This will be short and quick! My family room in it's original form below. It has been like most things in my home a work in progress. Recently I replaced the paintinng above the fireplace and pulled down the large iron clock you see on the side wall. I have yet to get the things I have planned for that side wall up. Mr. Whimsy had some surgery on his arm and has not been able too help me. I do need the help with this one so I will have to be patient. I hope to have them up by next Wednesday! If you have paid attention to my blog over the past few weeks you may notice that the side wall now houses different furniture as well. Visit me next Wednesday to see the transformation.

The Top 5 Middle School Must Haves

Last week Little Miss Whimsy had her Middle School Orientation for 6th grade. Besides her taking a shower and having me blow her hair dry and straighten it with a straitening iron and agonizing over what to wear, she took the whole thing in stride. I on the other hand did not take it very well. None the less it came and went without event. Or so I thought. So begins our list of MUST HAVES for 6th grade. After all I am pretty sure the world might just stop revolving on its axis if we don't have these by August 25th. Mind you I am really more worried as to whether I am going to have to labor over that whole hair routine every day. What a pain! She inherited my thick wavy hard to manage hair so I guess I am to blame. Which leads me to another must have which I guess would make it 6 MUST HAVES but since I do not have a picture of said hairstyle I will not count it in. What is this hair style you ask? Or maybe you didn't ask but I will tell you....the "side" bang" . After months of begging She got her hair cut with the side bangs two weeks ago. As far as I can tell the difference between a side bang and regular bangs are that they are cut at a long angle and hang in your face vs a regular bang that actually stays out of your eyes and covers your forehead. Sorry I digress where were we ahhhh yes 5 Must Haves. Number 1 a cell phone with key board. Preferably a phone that flips up. This is a very popular model with the middle schoolers. They don't mention the unlimited texting plan that you will need to pay monthly for if you still want to have money for your mortgage. Number 2 the Abercrombie canvas bag. No back packs for middle school girls anymore? Guess not she insists that she HAS to HAVE a bag.



The Vera Bradley lunch bag. Miss Whimsy's choice is Purple Punch shown below. No sack lunches like her brothers carry for her....no sir!

A pair or two or three of Rainbow Flip Flops. I am relieved to tell you she already has a pair in green. That is one thing off the list. I think.

Ugg Boots. Another relief she got some for Christmas. Tall black ones. Whew and lucky me she will most likely have out grown them by this coming winter so I will be asked to buy her another pair!

Thinking back to my middle school days I remember my top 5 must haves which were as follows

1. A Jan Sport back pack (some things never change)

2. Van slip on shoes

3. Osh Kosh Painters pants in pastel colors (blue, yellow, pink and white)

4. Dittos Saddle back Jeans

5. Feathered Hair

Which brings me to my last thought. What my boys needed for middle school............a #2 pencil.

Meet Miss Pearce

Welcome to another Met Monday! If this is your first time visiting a Met Monday please go visit Susan over at BetweenNapsOnThePorch to see all the wonderful bloggers participating in this fun event! If you read my blog post from Saturday you read that I did pick up something from the Ethan Allen sale. Here she is. Titled Miss Pearce. That name didn't last long as Little Miss Whimsy quickly told me her name should be "Mary". "Really?" said I. "Because I think she looks like a Juliet or Maybe an Anneliese". To which Little Miss Whimsy replied "Maybe an Elizabeth but not a Juliet or Anneliese". Thus concluded the debate on the name of her and now she is known as Mary Elizabeth! She was a find marked down 80% to a shocking $75! She is an oil on canvas. This sea shore painting was picked out for my former house and I love it. It was perfect for our home and its decor out in California. In this home it has been admired by me just the same but once my decor started evolving in our current home the painting started losing its place. Then my friend gave me the lovely topiaries when she moved and it confirmed all the more that the painting was not really right for the area. So I have been keeping my eyes open, looking for something vertical instead of horizontal to balance out the topiaries. I also needed something with more visual weight to counter the black I have in the room.

When I spotted "Mary Elizabeth" I was immediately smitten. I loved the colors of the painting. The green dress would work with the greens in my room. The dark back ground would balance the weight of the topiaries as well as the black in the room. Plus it was vertical!!! But was it too big?

A quick call to Mr Whimsy to measure the space above the fireplace confirmed it would fit. I walked around the sale and contemplated. I thought she was rather formal for my space but in the end I liked her enough to pick her up. I am happy I did. I am pleased with how she looks in the space.

The beach scene looks so washed out in comparison to "Mary Elizabeth".

Mary Elizabeth ended up being just what I was hoping for. Boy am I happy I decided to go to the sale! Thanks for joining me for another fun Met Monday. Come back on Wednesday to see what else is on my walls in this room when I participate Whats on your Walls Wednesday hosted by Barb over at Grits and Glamour.

Let's Do A Little Shopping

A warehouse full with no Air conditioning and a hot day! Whew lets see what we can find!


Once a year or so Ethan Allen has a clearance. The clearance is held at their distribution center. Basically the items are the floor models from their stores, customer returns and damaged items. There is everything there from furniture, to accessories, lighting, artwork, bedding, window coverings, pillows and even rugs. Anything you would find in an Ethan Allen store. All items are on sale from 40-80% off the retail price. My friend Jill and I received the invite in the mail and agreed that we thought it would be worth going. You enter into a sea of sofas and chairs and then realize just how large the warehouse is. Yes we would definitely be there awhile! Here are some overviews and some highlights of items.

Oh how I wish I had a place for this. I said that about a lot of the things I looked at. I loved the sliding library doors on this cabinet.

Look at this stunning Mahogany piece. The sale price in this piece was $800 and change. It was well worth it.

This was another lovely. A gorgeous chinoiserie cabinet. I know Ethan Allen also makes a gorgeous secretary that matches this. It had a sold tag on it by the time I spotted it. Not that I had any place to put it but I may have tried!

Anyone looking for a dining room table? They had plenty. Average price on these were $500. Most every one was in perfect shape.

How about a chair to go with those tables? Many to be had. If you didn't like the cushion that was on them you could rifle through the huge boxes of chair tops they had. There was a plethora to choose from in any fabric imaginable.

Recognize these twin four poster beds? They were in the boys room on the last HGTV dream home. $400 each!

Another lovely four poster. This one was a queen and check out the price!

Need an ottoman? I wanted one there but there was a lady sitting on it the entire time. It was a great hounds tooth tweed in tans and browns rectangular, with wooden legs and tufted top. It would have lent itself well to my bonus room dream. But dang it that lady would not get off it!

This sofa settee would have looked great pulled up to a large farm table. I have a chair in my family room in this same red check/plaid. Plus I am getting ready to do some other items in my home in this fabric as well. But it was too large for my areas.

Sofas? Yes they had em and there were some lovely lovely ones there. Down stuffed and otherwise.

I remember seeing this one on the floor in the store in 06 when I ordered my family room sofa. Now it was selling for $500!

Art work? Oh yea and some of it was a steal. She was only $75!

Cute matting!

This chandelier was truly hard for me to walk away from. I was visualizing it over a large farm table. I would paint it a nice red! Look at that price! Incredible! Originally $449!

I adored these Navy pillows. Probably because the embroidery on them reminded me of a monogram! I eyed them for awhile and even carried them around but the color kept me from buying them. *sigh*

Bedding? Window coverings? Pillows? They had them. All 80% off!

These red striped window panels were marked anywhere from $7 -17. "Will the real price please stand up?" A great deal at any of those prices!

Thanks for joining me on my little shopping spree. There was so much more to see but I had to limit it! I did buy something. It "may" even be in one of these pictures :-) Come back on Met Monday to see what I bought and see what I did with it! Have a great weekend!